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By Mr*. Settle Wilbon
INTRODUCTION
The 119th Psalm is an unusual literary production - one
of the most interesting in the book of Psalms. It is not only
the longest Psalm, but it has other distinctions, too. It is
divided into 22 sections, each of which contains eight
verses. v
Each of the eight verses of each section begins with the
same Hebrew letter, and each section features a different
Hebrew letter, progressing from the beginning to the end
of the alphabet. Thus, verses 1-8 begin with the letter
Aleph, the first letter of Uie Hebrew alphabet, verses 9-16
begin with Beth, the second letter of the alphabet, etc.
Furthermore, almost every one of the verses in the Psalm
contains a reference of some sort to God’s self
disclosure to man. Some of these are “laws,” “ways ”
“statutes,” “testimonies,” and “promises.”
The memorization of this great Psalm was a favorite
task with which children were challenged in the Vic
torian era. Because of its beautiful reiteration of the value
and validity of the Word, committing it tq memory would
be a rewarding effort to make in our own time.
"How I love your law! I think about It all day long. Your
commandment is with me all the time and makes me wiser
than my enemies. I understand more than all my teachers,
because I meditate on your instructions. I have greater
wisdom than all men, because I obey your commands ”
Psalms 119:97-100.
Most of us know people who think of God’s way as one
continual “no” to all joy and exuberance of life. They
picture Biblical devotidn as a group of long-faced dour
individuals sitting around and frowning at every move
happy children may be making. How different the-attitude
of the Psalmist! He sounds here the note of genuine
religious experience and convictions. In so doing he
makes it plain that the truths of God are not to be regarded
as burdens or straitjackets within which all the freedom of
human movement is confined and constricted.
As in so many incidents and circumstances of life, the
attitude we have as we approach them determines their
usefulness to us and our use to them.
The psalmist is not speaking in an arrogant manner. He
is speaking of those whose teaching does not include the
principles of God’s law: Because he meditates on God’s
testimonies,‘he regards all that his teachers say on the
basis of what he believes, and knows, to be certainties of
God for life. The truths his teachers utter are con
firmed or underscored by many general realities he
already has discerned and knows. In cases where they
conflict he has a strong foundation of faith that stands
serene and secure amid temporary intellectual
“fashions.” Thus Paul urges Christians not to be “blown
here and there by every wind of teaching,” (Ephe
siahs 0, 235#—■»'
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned
and hast been assured of, knowing of who, thou hast
learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the
holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto .
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit
able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for in
struction in righteousness, C2 Timothy 5:14-16). -
The passages from Psalm 119 and 2 Timothy
illustrate the fact that the Word of God is a source of truth
for the guidance of our lives. It brings us wisdom and
expands our horizons. It promotes steadiness of life and
clarity of vision. It makes us aware of opportunities for
service and also of whole areas of blessing for which we
gladly express our gratitude to God. We come to take great
pleasure in learning of His truth and of His love. Above all,
we come to know the Living Word, our Lord Jesus. He
knows our joys and sorrows, our friendships and fellow
ships,, and also, alas, the sweat of our toil and the scars of
our wounds.
We seek to meditate on this Word in order to let its truths
soak into our souls and its examples and commands to
challenge our lives. This is a far cry frOm that type of
meditation that is mainly a self-hypnosis induced by
concentrating constantly on a single word or phrase. Such
a repetitive trance-inducing procedure seeks to deny or
shut out or transcend in some way the sensory world. By
contrast; meditation on God’s Word enlivens our minds
and spirits through careful consideration of diversified
truth to challenge and encourage us to live out that truth in
our daily lives.
"TMt the^rnan of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works,” (2 Timothy 3-17); '•
There has been some discussion as to whether man of
God here means anyone who is in Christ, or a man set
apart for some special service as Timothy was. In either
case, the scriptures accomplish the same purpose.
Perfect, when applied to a person, means he is mature,
fully grown, complete: One can find an adequate
knowledge of God’s will only here, in this inspired Word.
One may learn much through general study as to how it is
relevant, or is to be applied or utilized - but the revealed
reality that is to be dealt with is discovered only here. All
good works - the purpose and end of a0 the revelation Is not
just that one may think good thoughts or possess good
intentions, but that one may accomplish good deeds. *'
The things that happened in the Bible are to be taught
and caught so that things will happen for God outside the
Bible in our minds, homes, and total lives.
•P8»Hf This Weekend !
*
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THE CHARLOTTE POET!
For Home Delivery CallL:
376-0496 %
NatJ?“nle' and Carolyn Gaskin of 3509 Jefferson Davis, recently
celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary during a party aUended £
Gaskin h^d’l,V** PartV W8S 3 surPrise for Mr. Gaskin. Mrs
Ga*“nJ,ad lnvited fP^13' P^Ple -ho have known the couple through
Si • ye,ar marri3ge- °ne guest was Mrs. Janie Gordon. Carolyn
G“^Jn *.s,ster> who had stood in as a witness during the Gaskins'
E-Str Gaskin recalls how she me. her hufband at one of
‘*"d • hamfe.lnd S *^e the marriage' she tells. -'He’s always been a
children ™ PrOV‘der' 1 tha"k God for my husband and
children she added. The Gaskins have six children including Nadine
Gaskin, Michael Gaskin, married to Janice. Angela Gaskin Valerie
"an18’ ™arr,ed wm,am Harris, and Melvin Gaskin. Their four
SchJifr, kr ^eVark‘ 4nd LaVi‘a HarHs and LaKenva and
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YOU & WBT V 3
The Best Belong Together.